2016 Project 52 - January - Creve Coeur Airport flood

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Izzie,

I think Janis has hit the nail on the head, these are mostly 'standard fayre' documentary shots, many I suspect, shot from a standing position. That said, I appreciate all you had was a P&S.

When you are more recovered, I'd suggest taking your DSLR with the UWA on and shooting from lower heights (may have to wait if your knee was operated on recently), or get up close to buildings and enhance the vanishing point in say, that row of hangers.

Cheers, Dave

[Cantab]

Izzie, my favorite is #3, even with the somewhat blown out clouds.

My guess is that the reason for the distortion in #5 is that you were using a wide-angle lens. The EXIF data did not mean a lot to me since I understand you were using a point and shoot camera. But if you are inclined, you could always straighten up the hangar walls so they become vertical – so much easier to do in pp than in real life!

[IzzieK]

Hi Izzie,

I think Janis has hit the nail on the head, these are mostly 'standard fayre' documentary shots, many I suspect, shot from a standing position. That said, I appreciate all you had was a P&S.

When you are more recovered, I'd suggest taking your DSLR with the UWA on and shooting from lower heights (may have to wait if your knee was operated on recently), or get up close to buildings and enhance the vanishing point in say, that row of hangers.

Cheers, Dave

Funny you mentioned my DSLR and UWA...I was sitting outside trying to keep my cool (cold) and I thought of the same. And no my knee wasn't operated on...it was that operation on my chest years ago that turned into a keloid hence I am sore from almost my waist up to my chest. (My head was spared fortunately ) I still have three injections to go through, one this coming Wednesday so that thing will not come back.

I will be back with my DSLR soon...I went out today to continue on my theme for Week 3. I still have to pp them as I only got a few shots. I will take your suggestions. I was thinking of buildings for Week 4 as I may be able to carry something more than a bunch of bananas by that time...Damn! I hate getting old...

Thanks Dave...as usual, you are so helpful to me...appreciate it.

[IzzieK]

Izzie, my favorite is #3, even with the somewhat blown out clouds.

My guess is that the reason for the distortion in #5 is that you were using a wide-angle lens. The EXIF data did not mean a lot to me since I understand you were using a point and shoot camera. But if you are inclined, you could always straighten up the hangar walls so they become vertical – so much easier to do in pp than in real life!

I have not even think of looking at the EXIF because I suspect it will say AUTO. True. I feel trapped with the limited capabilities of a P&S...so I relied on composition instead. My favourite is #3 too and the last 2 because of the colours. I think it was #3 and #5 where I felt some soreness when I lifted my arms or something...Hopefully I will feel better pushing a supermarket trolley tomorrow as a thank you to my hubby who helps me with my dressings.

Thank you for your comments, Bruce...I feel blessed when you comment...appreciate it very much.

[IzzieK]

Since I am not allowed to carry a hell of a lot of equipments heavier than 5 to 10 lbs. I will stick this week to one image -- the house in the corner. I guess it will be different tomorrow after I have my check-up...

This little house in the corner intrigues me. It is really beautiful sitting down there in that little hill but the best angle is around this frontage as the other side has two big dumpsters.



For C&C...how can I improve this image without having to physicall go back to the site to do a reshoot? I had shot wider than this to show the environment as it is right now and removed some electrical wires and stuffs already...

Thanks guys...I hope next week I will be able to use my proper camera...will appreciate any comments and criticisms...harsh as it may...

[mknittle]

For C&C...how can I improve this image without having to physicall go back to the site to do a reshoot? I had shot wider than this to show the environment as it is right now and removed some electrical wires and stuffs already...

Thanks guys...I hope next week I will be able to use my proper camera...will appreciate any comments and criticisms...harsh as it may...

Maybe if you can get rid of the haze. If not one thing that sticks out is there is too much muddy foreground. also try a little more contrast. And the sky is a bit bland I think there is some potential there if it could be darkened and contrast added.

Use the time to try some new techniques.in post. Make some copies and have at it.

[Geoff F]

Composition looks fine to me, Izzie, but is the sharpening a little on the harsh side in places?

Sometimes when I get a tricky scene for sharpening I create a duplicate layer and sharpen that. Then add a Reveal All Mask which can be edited to slightly reduce the opacity a little; which will selectively tone down the sharpening just a fraction, as required.

I find this particularly useful with seascapes where there are strong ripples in the foreground but it can work equally well with other scenes.

Another trick which I sometimes use with tricky situations is to set the layer Blend Mode to Luninosity.

Maybe a very slight crop from the bottom and right side, but don't over do it; perhaps just remove the grey area?

[Dave Humphries]

For C&C...how can I improve this image without having to physicall go back to the site to do a reshoot? I had shot wider than this to show the environment as it is right now and removed some electrical wires and stuffs already...

Thanks guys...I hope next week I will be able to use my proper camera...will appreciate any comments and criticisms...harsh as it may...

Hi Izzie,

I much prefer the view of this house in shot 3 of your week 1 post.

Week 3's shot includes a lot of (dare I say) ugly foreground mud; instead of a nice reflection previously.
The angle of the shot places two trees between us and the building; only one last time.
We have 'lost' the chimney behind the tree.
The light (and possibly White Balance) was better last time too; warmer.
Even without the dumpsters, this week's includes more obvious clutter, e.g. the small LPG tank.

However, if this week's shot is intended for documentary purposes, then many of the issues I raise are invalid.

What can you do with this in PP? (to make it a 'nicer' shot of the house)
Well, I'd crop to exclude everything on the right hand side starting with the LPG tank.
I'd also crop the road and even the foreground mud off; so the lower edge starts at the grass.
Perhaps warm up the colour temperature a bit, although if the white stuff on the grass is frost or snow, don't over do it.
Getting in to tiny detail, if mine, I'd look at cloning out the "55" sign and dealing with a few bright and/or colour saturated items in more distant background (e.g. red car and that illuminated overhead freeway sign).

Hope that's helpful - and not too harsh

Dave

PS I also noticed the sharpening looked a little 'crunchy'

[Cantab]

Izzie, you've received a number of helpful comments. On the basis that the image is intended to convey the environs of this house surrounded by water and mud, I'd do just two things. First, crop a bit off the right side, to get rid of the power lines but keep the smaller tree (which links back to the larger trees). Secondly, use Geoff's suggestion for adjusting the sharpening.

[purplehaze]

I quite like this, Izzie, apart from the oversharpening and the loss of the treetops. Am going somewhat against the grain here, but I like the foreground mud, as it contributes to the sense of encirclement and the tenacity of this poor, beleaguered house.

[IzzieK]

Maybe if you can get rid of the haze. If not one thing that sticks out is there is too much muddy foreground. also try a little more contrast. And the sky is a bit bland I think there is some potential there if it could be darkened and contrast added.

It was taken on a hazy, dreary day...I don't want to take the haze off because I like the drama it brought.

Use the time to try some new techniques.in post. Make some copies and have at it.

Seeing that I cannot do anything much nowadays, I did try different effects in Color Efex and adjustments in Viveza and also made a B/W version via Silver Efex. I like this one better...

The bland sky is really bland. Only after lowering the highlights did something came out of it...that is as far as it will go...

Thank you for commenting, Mark...I appreciate it very much...

[IzzieK]

Composition looks fine to me, Izzie, but is the sharpening a little on the harsh side in places?

Sometimes when I get a tricky scene for sharpening I create a duplicate layer and sharpen that. Then add a Reveal All Mask which can be edited to slightly reduce the opacity a little; which will selectively tone down the sharpening just a fraction, as required.

I find this particularly useful with seascapes where there are strong ripples in the foreground but it can work equally well with other scenes.

Another trick which I sometimes use with tricky situations is to set the layer Blend Mode to Luninosity.

Maybe a very slight crop from the bottom and right side, but don't over do it; perhaps just remove the grey area?

I was trying on a painterly look, Geoff...I think I overdid it a bit...I like the result of the original though. I think it was the after resizing sharpening...I don't use to do that when I already played with structure...Thanks for the tip.

Appreciate the comments and the suggestions too...thanks.

[IzzieK]

Hi Izzie,

I much prefer the view of this house in shot 3 of your week 1 post.

Week 3's shot includes a lot of (dare I say) ugly foreground mud; instead of a nice reflection previously.

I went around and the around the place and can't find any decent shot without the dumpsters...two big ones, side by side almost fill the whole length of the house on that side...

The angle of the shot places two trees between us and the building; only one last time.
We have 'lost' the chimney behind the tree.
The light (and possibly White Balance) was better last time too; warmer.
Even without the dumpsters, this week's includes more obvious clutter, e.g. the small LPG tank.

I was trying to show the aftermath of the flood, what was left behind...obviously that LPG tank was buried in the flood there...and now starting to appear as the water goes down...

However, if this week's shot is intended for documentary purposes, then many of the issues I raise are invalid.

The whole series from Week 1 is a documentary I think...there was no beauty in any of the post at all but this house and here I did not make it exactly about the house though a good part of the shot for composition is.

What can you do with this in PP? (to make it a 'nicer' shot of the house)
Well, I'd crop to exclude everything on the right hand side starting with the LPG tank.
I'd also crop the road and even the foreground mud off; so the lower edge starts at the grass.
Perhaps warm up the colour temperature a bit, although if the white stuff on the grass is frost or snow, don't over do it.

It is water and snow...snow where water is thinner..

Getting in to tiny detail, if mine, I'd look at cloning out the "55" sign and dealing with a few bright and/or colour saturated items in more distant background (e.g. red car and that illuminated overhead freeway sign).

Hope that's helpful - and not too harsh

Dave

PS I also noticed the sharpening looked a little 'crunchy'

I will try to keep it subtle without losing the haze...thank you for your nice comment and many suggestions. I will concentrate on the beautiful side next time...

P.S. I like it when your comments are harsher...I am not sick, Dave...just sore. You need not be soft with me...LOL..I will forewarn you when I need a straitjacket...

[IzzieK]

Izzie, you've received a number of helpful comments. On the basis that the image is intended to convey the environs of this house surrounded by water and mud, I'd do just two things. First, crop a bit off the right side, to get rid of the power lines but keep the smaller tree (which links back to the larger trees). Secondly, use Geoff's suggestion for adjusting the sharpening.

You got it first time, Bruce....!!! Thanks for the suggestions...that'll help a lot. Appreciate it very much...

[IzzieK]

I quite like this, Izzie, apart from the oversharpening and the loss of the treetops. Am going somewhat against the grain here, but I like the foreground mud, as it contributes to the sense of encirclement and the tenacity of this poor, beleaguered house.

Thank you Janis...I feel the same way because it feels and looks like an isolated house by the roadside...I've never passed this place where I see a person even moving or anything...just nobody, even in the summer months. There's something about this house and its colour that attracted me to look everytime we passed by here on the way to the airport or to the Lake. I will go with Bruce' suggestions about cropping a bit on the right hand side...and that is about it...I can't travel much until perhaps next month or so, so I will try to just go nearby to keep up with my P52. Hopefully I will be allowed to carry better, e.g., my DSLR with a bigger lens.

Upper chest is still sore from the bruise of the operation. Hopefully all my stitches will be removed by tomorrow and all it needs will be healing the wound itself. And hopefully the pain did not affect any of the cysts from my breast cancer scare of November.

Thank you for looking and for the nice response...Appreciate your taking time...

[mknittle]

Thank you Janis...I feel the same way because it feels and looks like an isolated house by the roadside...I've never passed this place where I see a person even moving or anything...just nobody, even in the summer months. There's something about this house and its colour that attracted me to look everytime we passed by here on the way to the airport or to the Lake. I will go with Bruce' suggestions about cropping a bit on the right hand side...and that is about it...I can't travel much until perhaps next month or so, so I will try to just go nearby to keep up with my P52. Hopefully I will be allowed to carry better, e.g., my DSLR with a bigger lens.

Upper chest is still sore from the bruise of the operation. Hopefully all my stitches will be removed by tomorrow and all it needs will be healing the wound itself. And hopefully the pain did not affect any of the cysts from my breast cancer scare of November.

Thank you for looking and for the nice response...Appreciate your taking time...

Robin and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Robin recently Had a pacemaker installed And is going back in a month to have fluid removed from around her heart. The hardest part of that was keeping her from over doing.

[IzzieK]

Robin and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Robin recently Had a pacemaker installed And is going back in a month to have fluid removed from around her heart. The hardest part of that was keeping her from over doing.

Thank you, Mark and Robin....here is one for you:

I tried to catch some fog. I mist.

[Kaye Leggett]

Izzie, you've received a number of helpful comments. On the basis that the image is intended to convey the environs of this house surrounded by water and mud, I'd do just two things. First, crop a bit off the right side, to get rid of the power lines but keep the smaller tree (which links back to the larger trees). Secondly, use Geoff's suggestion for adjusting the sharpening.

I agree with this and would add also that cloning out the gas tank would be desirable. If you do get the change to rephoto this house over your project 52 it will provide a nice documentary for you (and us) of an ever changing scene. And well done on scouting out the shot - despite your temporary infirmity, you have physically done everything that should be done to plan the shot

Look after yourself Izzie.

[IzzieK]

I agree with this and would add also that cloning out the gas tank would be desirable. If you do get the change to rephoto this house over your project 52 it will provide a nice documentary for you (and us) of an ever changing scene. And well done on scouting out the shot - despite your temporary infirmity, you have physically done everything that should be done to plan the shot

Look after yourself Izzie.

The gas tank is important to the environment...it was the part that the flood had dug up when the water went down...otherwise I agree with Bruce's advice too...I will do editing when I feel a bit better. My stitches were all removed yesterday and I feel miserable as I was told not to put anymore cream in it. I haven't slept a bit...

Look after yourself Izzie.

Bill is doing all the work of late I feel so embarrassed already...then he check up on me. I am suppose to serve him, not him serves me...
I appreciate your comments, advice and caring...hopefully I'd be better next week when this pain settles down...
Izzie

[IzzieK]

In line with all the flood that happened a few weeks ago that was continued with snows a week ago and this week, I asked Bill to take me to the waterfalls at Creve Coeur Lake. I am still not allowed to work my arms well so I have to skip using them until I feel better next week in February (I hope)…

C&C will help a lot...

1 Sign at the Lake called Dripping Springs



2 An overview of the place – I converted this to Black and White in Silver Efex and applied Selenium 4 effect.



3 Another angle of the same scene, again applied the same effect as above.. I think I am beginning to love this effect...not too black, not too white...just right!



4 A much closer angle…I left it like this to accompany #1 colour scheme though I converted this in Black and White too with the same effect as the two middle images and it looks good too.



I tried my best to keep up to date in my P52 submission but the old flippers had not been holding on very well despite that the scars seems to be healing good. Sorry folks…I will try to do better next week until I get clearance from my quack.

'Will appreciate any comments (sounds desperate, huh?) and any critique (asking for trouble..) si I will learn...no matter what camera I use this time around...